St. Clement scores first-ever hoop championship

Thursday

Mar 20, 2014 at 12:55 PMMar 20, 2014 at 12:55 PM

By Christopher Hurleychurley@wickedlocal.com

Eamonn Joyce and St. Clement made history Saturday night.The Anchormen boys basketball team edged out the Quaboag Cougars, 45-42, to capture the MIAA Division 4 State Championship, March 15 at Holy Cross. It marked the team’s first championship in the school’s 89-year history.One of six Medford residents on the team, Joyce loomed large under the boards. The junior center netted 12 points and nine rebounds. He also sank all but one of his free throw attempts en route to the victory."I had to get in position for every rebound to do everything I could to help my team win," Joyce said. "Winning the battle of the boards was extremely important. We needed offensive rebounds to win."The top-seed in the Division 4 bracket, the Anchormen (24-1) appeared to be an unstoppable force all season long, and showed no signs of slowing down against the formidable Cougars (23-2).Joyce along with senior forward Khaneil Bruce (Cambridge) set the tempo for the talented squad. The Catholic Central League Co-MVP, Bruce bolstered the offense posting nine points and a team-high 19 rebounds, as St. Clement held a slim 20-19 lead at the half. The Anchormen extended its lead by eight points at the end of the third quarter.Both Joyce and Bruce turned it up a notch during the fateful fourth quarter, when things mattered the most.St. Clement made a dramatic last stand in the closing minutes with Emaru Pena leading the charge. The Roxbury resident hit a clutch three-pointer with 2:32 left on the clock. He added another field goal seconds later, putting the game out of reach. Overall Pena went 4-for-5 from the three-point land."My coach tells me to keep shooting," said Pena, who sparked a crucial 9-2 run in the third quarter hitting a pair of treys in the process. "The key to games like this is defense. We knew that if the made enough stops, the shots would become available. I felt good all night."The team was aided by five All-Star selections including junior guards Brandon Williams (Dorchester), Jack Hartnett (Medford), Pena, Bruce and Joyce.Rounding out the championship roster were Medford residents Emmanuel Theodat, Macallen Marcellin, Nick Silva and Daniel Murphy.Junior Oyaronbi (Revere), Mark Grant (Cambridge), Deron Hines (Chelsea), Jakai Penrose (Everett), Larnel Coleman (Cambridge) and Michael Sullivan (Everett).Catholic Central League champions the past two seasons, St. Clement was coached by Leo Boucher (12th year), with assistant coaches Larry Washington and Matt O’Donnell.2014 Division 4 Boys Basketball State ChampionsSt. Clement High School#1 Junior Oyaronbi#2 Emaru Pena#3 Mark Grant#4 Emmanuel Theodat#5 Khaneil Bruce#10 Macallen Marcellin#11 Brandon Williams#13 Michael Sullivan#14 Daniel Murphy#15 Deron Hines#20 Jakai Penrose#23 Jack Hartnett#33 Eamonn Joyce#44 Larnel Coleman# 00 Nick SilvaHead Coach: Leo Boucher (12th season)Assistant Coach Larry WashingtonAssistant Coach Matt O’DonnellPrincipal: Robert G. ChevrierAthletic Director: Ryan P. Murphy